I think this may be my favorite book of Roseanna's. I say that about every book of hers though so I'm not too sure. This book was special though, it has so much I really liked about it.
This is the second book in the Imposters series.
Though the book may have started out slowly, it didn't stay that was for long.
As a carry-over from the first book in the series we see many of the same characters that we know and love. Though this is the second book in a series, it may be read as a standalone having its own full story.
I started out the book not liking Gemma, she can be downright rude to Graham Wharton at times. She broke his heart. Through the many ups and downs, twists and turns the story unfolds for us. There is a lot going on and the book pulls out all the stops as your heart feels so many emotions. One thing about the Imposters though is when they take on a case you know they won't back down until the case is solved. I can see why Gemma acted the way she did, the reveal surprised me. None of us know how we'll act unless presented a situation such as this. The faith element was beautiful!
The book really has a lot to absorb as you read it. Such beautiful healing and forgiveness.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

I really enjoyed this novel. There is mystery, romance, heartbreaking emotional moments, and a group of investigators, the Imposters, determined to save the lives of two children. I must admit that I was more interested in the complicated relationship between the two protagonists, Gemma and Graham, who, after a year apart, are forced to work together to solve the kidnapping of two children and must face their feelings for each other. Having not read the first book in the series, there were a couple of things that confused me, but, all in all, I really liked it!

Big questions and doubts haunt Gemma Parks and Graham Wharton since tragedy struck a year ago. What worse time to dredge up sorrow than at Christmastime. We finally see what has kept two of The Imposters at odds. A new case has them going incognito again to catch a kidnapper. The son of an influential but unscrupulous businessman is held for ransom and the team must use their expertise to find Horace before it is too late.
It was fun to see the team dress up to go undercover but Gemma hides her feelings just as sure as she dons a costume for her role and does all she can to avoid Graham. Their personal soul searching has them re-evaluating the role God plays in their lives and they learn to trust Him I liked Graham and his analytical architect brain.
The case was a complex one that was hard to figure out. The story was a bit more somber than the last book but equally as intriguing, absorbing, full of danger, forgiveness and second chances. I look forward to book three and the next case for The Imposters.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House on behalf of the author and a NetGalley copy. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*

An extraordinarily well written book! There's intrigue, a mystery, and kidnapping. There's also a second chance at love and restored relationships. The mystery really had me on the edge of my seat!

The process of restored relationships really touched my heart. Graham and Gemma are two broken people whose pain goes very deep. Their forgiveness toward each other took time, but it was romantic and sweet!

There are a lot of familiar characters from the first book in the series A Beautiful Disguise. You can read this as a stand-alone because Roseanna White does an exemplary job at explaining characters' back stories.

I love how the author weaves faith into her books! It's encouraging and inspiring! I can't wait for the next book!

I was provided a copy of the book from Bethany House via Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I will read anything Roseanna M. White writes! I love the way she writes romance, I love her historical detail, and her plots have just the right amount of intrigue. This one was particularly emotional, given the backstory for both main characters. It was heart-wrenching in spots, and uplifting at the same time. I love the uniqueness of this series and can't wait for the next in line!

The quality of writing & works building was good, but this was my first book with this author and I did not realize it was a Christian fiction book, the themes are very overt, which is not my preference but it’s fine. I really struggled with the paving of the story, though, it jumps perspectives a lot and takes a while for the romantic leads to be on page together for any length of time, which made it harder for me to connect with their romance. Very emotional story, but very very slow to unfold, I found myself skipping ahead a lot because they Jory dragging their feet on telling us why these two characters were in conflict w each other.

So it was a struggle for me though I can see how readers who like very slowly u folding and very emotionally devastating faith based stories may enjoy it more.

A Noble Scheme, by Roseanna M. White, follows an unlikely group of friends who have dubbed themselves the "Circus of Imposters" as they investigate mysteries in England at the turn of the 20th century. Posing as acrobats from a traveling circus, two siblings scale buildings and eavesdrop on suspects in order to find a missing child. Two of the characters, Graham and Gemma, seem to have a past that complicates the situation and the big reveal in the middle of the book both surprises the reader and propels the plot forward. Note: a major plot point is a character's lack of faith which makes the novel very Christian in tone. It may be possible to read and enjoy this book without believing in Christianity but it may put off some readers.

I first fell in love with this team of investigators in book 1- A Beautiful Disguise - and was so excited for this new story. In the previous book, we know that Gemma was devastated by something that happened between her and Graham, but we don’t know what transpired.

A Noble Scheme picks up with a newly married Marigold and Merritt as the Imposters take on a new case. Despite their rocky history, Graham and Gemma are forced to work together when the team decides to solve the case of a missing boy. As the case unfolds, we find out more about Graham and Gemma’s painful past, as well as the tragedy and pain which led to the kidnapping of not just one, but two young boys. We see how lives are torn apart as a result of loss and bitterness. As the team comes closer to solving the case, we also see the beauty of a restored faith, love, and redemption. Roseanna does an amazing job telling a hard story.

I received an early copy for review and the opinions shared are my own.

Book 2 in the intriguing Imposters series takes a deeper turn as Graham and Gemma work on a case to find a missing child. We finally learn what caused the deep rift between them in this poignant story of loss and ultimately, forgiveness. Beautifully written, deeply moving.

Roseanna M. White has long been a master of historical fiction, but she’s reached a new level with A Noble Scheme. The emotional drama of this story will rival any Karen Kingsbury book and had me highlighting line after line as I pondered both her prose and her meaning.

In the beginning, though, while I was excited to dive into a new adventure with the Imposters, Ltd., I really wanted to find out what the big secret was between Gemma and Graham. White kept the mystery around this sky-high as the story unfolded and still I couldn’t quite pinpoint it! I love when authors keep me guessing!

And I never would have guessed it. I wouldn’t have suspected that White would sink so low as to put this pair through this kind of torment, but she does so absolutely perfectly. The descriptions, emotions, and drama – as well as the lessons journeyed and learned – couldn’t be better.

Readers who enjoy both depth and drama need A Noble Scheme on their bookshelf. This book – this series, really – is one to keep. Just be sure you have the tissues handy.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

“Words were wily things—but they were miraculous too. They created, they shaped, they breathed life.”

Wow! This book was amazing! It’s the type of story that sticks with you long after you have finished reading the last page. The story is raw and full of emotion, the characters are vulnerable and struggling to hold onto faith and, if you read A Beautiful Disguise, we finally find out why Gemma has such a deep animosity toward Graham. If you haven’t read the first novel I highly recommend you do before reading A Noble Scheme, as the majority of the characters stories begin in book one. I also thought this book was better than the first one, so don’t discount A Noble Scheme if A Beautiful Disguise wasn’t for you. This one has a completely different vibe.

“Grief is both the most universal human experience and the most insular. It is individual. It must be individual. That’s what makes it so hard and what makes it so universal.”

I’ve never read a book where the characters go through the processes of grief as thoroughly as in A Noble Scheme. It was heartbreaking yet encouraging, a paradox to be sure, as these characters work through grief singularly yet together. Roseanna writes a message of forgiveness and learning to forgive through Jesus when circumstances are just too hard or we feel lost amidst the darkness. There is a mystery to be solved, children to be rescued, disguises donned and secret tunnels explored, but it takes a back seat to the beautifully unfolding story of second chances and finding a way to love again.

Read if you like:
Edwardian England
House parties
Mystery and Secrets
Aristocratic sleuths

Thank you, Roseanna M White, Bethany House and NetGalley for the complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed here are my own.

These characters from book one were introduced and I knew something big had happened to them, but I never imagined the ‘actual’ event. Heartbreaking and compelling. It made me feel for them in a new way. Seeing God throughout this story as they went about solving a case was wonderfully done. So many good lessons and thought-provoking ideas in this story. While it had a different feel to it from the first book, and wasn’t based so much around the ‘circus’ part of their family, I liked it even more than the first one.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Roseanna M. White is a talented author with a vivid, creative imagination, and I thoroughly love The Imposters team she has dreamed up. A Noble Scheme is the second in the series, and it’s best to read them in order to get all the backstory and fully appreciate the characters.

“She had learned too well that anger, rage, bitterness, and hatred didn’t ever fill you. They emptied you. Emptied you of life and goodness and the ability to love. And that emptiness left no room for anything else, even the sweet memories.”

This is a beautiful story of redemption, forgiveness, and hope. It’s the tale of Gemma Parks and Graham Wharton, once the closest of friends but now estranged. I loved these characters and their struggles and growth as they are thrown together to help solve the case of a missing boy. The author is a pro at dreaming up fascinating and engaging characters and plopping them in intriguing situations with plenty of twists and turns.

This story is filled with suspense, inspiration, romance, and both laughter and tears. The gorgeous cover was enough to make me want to read it, and having read the first book in the series, A Beautiful Disguise, whetted my appetite for more about The Imposters. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series. 4.5 stars

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from Bethany House Publishing. All opinions are my own.

"Weight settled on Gemma’s chest, heavy but familiar. “Death is the only sure thing in life.”“No— death and the love of God .” Marigold reached over and squeezed Gemma’s hand. Ms. Thomas dipped her head. “That was what I’d been learning. That even when I embraced sin, God loved me. Even when I chose my own desires over Him, God loved me. Even when I was hungry and sick and lost the only person in the world who mattered, God loved me."

This story was so good, I couldn't hardly put it down! This is only my second read of Roseanna's books, and it is part of a great series!

Things I liked and loved:

The frosty winter scene on the cover- so cold but lovely!

The dual point of view (POV) that we get with this book. I love when stories are set up in this style!

Getting to see a tidbit of Marigold and Merritt's wedding party and Gem writing an article on it.

That scene where Graham "happens" to find Gem in disguise on a train. Hilarious, and yet so sweet how he tries to woo her. 😍

How brainy Gem and Graham both are: she with her writing, and he with his love and devotion to studying the past and it's architecture for their investigations.

I liked how their personalities differ like fire and ice, but they still work together beautifully.

Things that could be a bit better:

There's not a lot here, just a few things to mention.

Language: hellish is used once, fool and fools is spoken or thought maybe five times at most.

-There's a mention of someone in extreme grief wanting to scream and demand answers of God. The person had been through a terrible time to be sure, but that's a really dangerous and disrespectful way to think and speak of God, and not at all advisable.

I seriously enjoyed this book, and I'm looking forward to reading it's sequel, "An Honorable Deception" available November 2024!

Thank you to Bethany House Publishers for the complimentary Netgalley e-book I received through LibraryThing Early Reviewers to review. A positive review was not required of me (but was my pleasure!) and the thoughts above are my own.

#BookReview : A NOBLE SCHEME by Roseanna M. White

I was really looking forward to reading this book and it didn't disappoint. I think the book was well paced. Marigold and Sir Merritt just came back from their honeymoon.

Everyone is different in handling their grief and this book explored that more. I cried with Gemma and Graham. Gemma’s pain was so big that she chose to be angry.

I enjoyed it even more than the first book, perhaps because it resonated with me on a deeper emotional level. There was also more depth in their journey of faith with messages of love and forgiveness.

The mystery that really tested the Imposters capability was intriguing as well. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.

Rating: 4.5 ⭐
Series : The Imposters Book 2
Pub date: 19 Mar 2024

Thank you Bethany House Publishers and #netgalley for the complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

This was a beautiful story of complete surrender, forgiveness and second chances. This is book 2 in The Imposters series. While the story itself could stand alone, I would recommend reading this series in order if possible as the Imposters as a whole were introduced in book 1. You wouldn't feel lost without book 1, but if you've read both books, you have a fuller picture of who the Imposters are. Those who have read book 1 will be familiar with the characters and this book gives insight into the conflict between Gemma and Graham, 2 of the members of this elite detective agency. At the end of book 1, all we know is that Gemma can't stand to be in the same room as Graham and that he is dissatisfied with that and wants a relationship with Gemma back. It is in this story that we find out why. When a young boy is kidnapped in a case of mistaken identity, both Gemma and Graham have the means to get to where he is expected to be held captive, and must set their differences aside to work together. It is only because a child's life is at stake that Gemma is willing. And Graham wants to use this opportunity to woo her back.

With the mystery surrounding the kidnapping and such, there is plenty of story here that kept me turning pages. But in the depths of the story was the character development. In seeing what had driven the 2 main characters apart, I was struck with empathy for both parties. With the emotional toll of the case and the rushed timeline to rescue a boy at risk, they can't afford to let the emotions of being stuck together create a distraction either. But because of all of these factors, both of our main characters come to a place of brokenness before Jesus and a beautiful tale of redemption is told. Tears flowed as I read these portions because of the beauty that comes from surrender and healing in Christ. The faith thread in this one is rock solid as both Gemma and Graham come to a point of full surrender to Christ and allow Him to bring His healing to their lives and their relationship as He was the only one who can. I thoroughly enjoyed the characters of Gemma and Graham and loved how they grew through the story. I loved their love story and hurt with them and cheered them on. I appreciated that the "villain" in this story wasn't particularly villainous as well. This book had all the feels. There were a few laughs, because that's who Roseanna M. White is, but there was definitely some heart-rending. Though this book dealt with some heavy subject matter (trigger warning - child death is a theme throughout), the book didn't feel overly heavy or oppressive and there was hope shining through, even at the end when it seemed hopeless for one particular character. This is a book that will tear your heart to shreds and then put it back together a little more whole. It's one I definitely recommend as well as the series as a whole.

Special thanks to the author and publisher for an advance copy of this novel. I was under no obligation to provide a review and the thoughts contained herein are my own.

This is a review for A Noble Scheme, book 2 of The Imposters series by Roseanna White. This is a review for NetGalley and the launch team for this book as I received a copy for review purposes. This title releases on March 19. This book gets 5 stars from me, and as I turned each page it got better and better! I didn't want it to end! It is a story that begins with a taste to whet your appetite back in book 1, between he characters of Gemma and Graham, who are both part of the Imposters detective agency, where both these characters go thru something very serious, but you don't find out till you read their story in this book! And what an incredible story it is between Gemma and Graham, so here is a teaser...its a story where God takes broken lives that were almost swallowed up by bitterness, anger and pain, and lovingly builds them back together, with the holes still there but strength all around them. Now who can resist a story like that??

In this story you will find amazing, real, and relatable characters, who go thru real life issues, question God, deal with bitterness, which almost destroys more than one life, but you also see such love, friendship, teamwork, and the grace and love of the Lord poured out in Gemma, Graham, and the rest of the cast of characters that makes an incredible story! I was really able to relate to this story as I've shared some of Gemma and Graham's struggles, and was brought to tears more than once, but also rejoiced too!!! But again you'll have to read it to find out why! This book is like a dance, and every step became more and more beautiful as I turned the page! Can't wait for the next and last book in the series to come out after this one! So I highly recommend this book so so much!! Another incredible book by one of my favorite authors!!!
#roseannamwhite #anoblescheme #netgalley #anobleschemelaunchteam #lovedthisbook #5starread

Wow! Not what I was expecting at all! While there was one twist that totally threw me for a loop, I am pretty pleased with myself for mostly figuring out the pieces that put the puzzle together. Maybe I can apply to join The Imposters, Ltd.

This story is a little different from Roseanna's usual work. The subject is quite weighty (though done very well and gently). Our characters are wrestling with heavy things like guilt, betrayal, grief, unforgiveness, and anger, just to name a few. We are thrown blind into their turmoil and I kept trying to guess what might be behind it all. Well, I never saw it coming, that's for sure! And yet, it made so much sense!

Forgiveness is a huge theme in this book. That is timely, since I am working through a non-fiction book on the subject and have been talking to a friend about this topic a lot. It can be so hard to forgive, whether that is yourself, another, or even God.

There is more emphasis on the characters' growth and development than on the case The Imposters are solving, though that is there and it is very interesting. As I said, I did put a lot of it together before our investigators but there were still a few surprises.

It was delightful to be with The Imposters again, and to see how Merritt is fitting in with the crew. I look forward to seeing how this series is wrapped up with Yates' story!

A missing child!

Interestingly I’d been thinking about the previous book in this series not so long ago. Then this title popped up.
What was it that stayed with me?
The background that had Imposters Inc. birthed perhaps?
Belonging to the top echelons of Edwardian English society, Lady Marigold and her brother Lord Yates, Earl of Fairfax, upon their father’s death find that he had spent all their funds and more on the joyous thrills he had surrounded himself, and them with.
To finance the menagerie at The Towers they begin an investigative agency, very exclusive, called The Imposters Ltd.
One has to be prepared for the overt faith perspective underlying this tale. Themes of forgiveness, love, integrity and anger feature strongly.
Lady Marigold marries Sir Merritt Livingston. Their honeymoon over, work now beckons. Thankfully Merritt has no objections to joining the Imposters in their mission.
The group have been called on to solve the problem of a missing child who was kidnapped from the train near Ludgrove. Only the wrong child was taken. Not Lord Wilfrid’s son Horace, but his poorer cousin Sidney. The boys are very similar in looks and are often mistaken for each other. Being boys they’re not adverse to playing pranks. This time their mischief has gone awry. A ransom note for eighty thousand dollars has been received. Lord Wilfred refuses to pay. After all it’s not his son in trouble! Sidney’s parents, the Harts, are desperate and ask for help from the Imposters.
Whilst the search is going on Gemma and her husband Graham Wharton, an architect, have been estranged since their son Jamie was killed in a car accident whilst Graham was driving. A journey Gemma had begged him not to take. Graham is angry with God. Gemma refuses to forgive Graham Jamie’s death. Now they must put their differences aside to help with the investigation.
A complicated plot, and problems within the group, has the Imposters well and truly testing their investigative powers.

A Bethany House ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

I knew nothing about this book going in but ended up loving it!! I guess it’s part of a series? Anyway such a great romance! Gemma and Graham are perfect!